“Pay my respects to Kanchi peethadhipathi Shri Jayendra Saraswati who attained moksha. His contribution for the welfare of mankind and in promoting spirituality will always be an inspiration for others,” he tweeted.

The prime minister too paid condolences saying Shankaracharya will live on in the hearts and minds of lakhs of devotees due to his exemplary service and noble thoughts.

“Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya was at the forefront of innumerable community service initiatives. He nurtured institutions which transformed the lives of the poor and downtrodden,” Modi said on Twitter.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi was also among those expressing grief over the death of the 69th Shankaracharya of the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam.

“I’m saddened to hear about the death of Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham… May his soul rest in peace,” Gandhi tweeted noting that Shankaracharya was revered by lakhs of believers across the world for his teachings.

Jayendra Saraswathi, pontiff of one of the oldest Mutts in the country, had been heading it for a very long time.

He had succeeded Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Swamigal as the head of the Shaivaite mutt.